Consolidated-Vultee L-13 accident near Fairbanks, Alaska, May 2, 1986
On May 2, 1986 at about 2:00 am local time, a Consolidated-Vultee L-13, registered N2536B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fairbanks, Alaska (Metro Field). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 2, 1986 · about 2:00 am local time
- Place
- Fairbanks, Alaska · Metro Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Consolidated-Vultee L-13
- Registration
- N2536B · no longer on the register · serial 47355
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, THE ACFT EXITED THE RUNWAY AND ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE INSPECTION OF BOTH TAILWHEEL AND TAILWHEEL ASSEMBLY REVEALED VERY LOOSE CABLES BETWEEN THE LOCKING HANDLE AND THE TAILWHEEL. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT HAD ONLY SIX HOURS IN THE TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,000 hours in all; 6 in this make and model; 4,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 28, 1986; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,550 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming R-680 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MTF Fairbanks AK at 9:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 6, 4,400 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,500 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 pm from FAI, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.